INNOVATION DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT 4: DistritoTec, Monterrey – Mexico’s pioneer in neighbourhood-led innovation governance and placemaking Overview In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Monterrey – Mexico’s third largest city – was, in the words of the WRI Ross Center, “a low-density, resource-inefficient metropolitan area plagued by congestion, as drug violence tore at the social fabric of the city”. As a result, Tecnológico de Monterrey – a private research university known as “Tec” – considered moving campus. Instead, however, Tec launched DistritoTec in 2014, a 452-hectare regeneration initiative spanning 24 neighbourhoods with $200 million in seed funding.22 Governance innovation DistritoTec pioneered participatory governance through Mexico’s first district-level Neighbourhood Council. Starting with community engagement in 2014, the initiative encouraged the formation of 14 neighbourhood committees that gained representation within the larger council. In 2015, Monterrey approved DistritoTec as a special development zone. By 2018, the Neighbourhood Council received formal recognition in Municipal Law – a first in Mexico – and in 2019, a public trust was established allowing revenue capture for reinvestment in the district.23 Placemaking strategy driven by co-design and sustainability DistritoTec’s placemaking strategy integrates sustainable infrastructure and public spaces, such as “complete streets”, “complete parks” and mixed-use development.24 Public spaces are co-designed using project for public spaces (PPS) methodologies, which define a “great place” as one offering at least 10 distinct activities (e.g. dining, relaxing, exercising, socializing, learning, attending events) and 10 destinations within the district, prioritizing sociability, activities, comfort/ image and connections. These principles are applied alongside citizen participation to shape inclusive, accessible cityscapes. Sustainability features include endemic reforestation, conservation of native species and mobility-focused urban design, incorporating complete street networks and regeneration of urban parks. Mixed-use elements (e.g. housing, retail, amenities) have been planned both within the university campus and surrounding areas. Measurable transformation (2014-2021) This innovative governance model has delivered the following concrete results:25 –16,900+ direct beneficiaries. –23% increase in registered businesses (3x city average). –$500 million in new private investment attracted. –17,000 square metres of renovated public parks. –3 kilometres of complete streets for pedestrians and cyclists. –Crime virtually eliminated in the district. Image credit: Tecnológico de Monterrey. Innovation Ecosystems: A Toolkit of Principles and Best Practice 19

Innovation Ecosystems 2025